-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Native American chief has asked all tribal employees not to use FedEx until the Washington Redskins changes its team name .

`` Until the name of the NFL team is changed to something less inflammatory and insulting , I direct all employees to refrain from using FedEx when there is an alternative available , '' Osage Nation Chief Geoffrey M. Standing Bear penned in his directive to all employees .

The tribe also issued a news release saying that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder `` chooses to stick with a brand which dictionaries define as disparaging and offensive . FedEx chose to endorse that brand through their sponsorship of Mr. Snyder 's organization . ''

It concludes , `` The Osage Nation chooses not to use FedEx services . We encourage other tribal nations to consider similar actions . ''

Standing Bear was not available for an interview , but Assistant Chief Raymond Red Corn said the tribe would `` stand-pat '' on the press release .

`` It was not our intention to become a news item , '' he said , adding that `` ethics '' drove the tribe 's decision .

The Redskins play their home games at FedExField , to which the shipping giant purchased the naming rights in a 27-year , $ 207 million deal in 1999 , Forbes reports . Fred Smith , FedEx 's chairman , president and CEO , is part of the team 's ownership group .

Patrick Fitzgerald , FedEx 's senior vice president of marketing and communications , released a statement Wednesday saying that his employer values its sponsorship of the stadium and `` we are proud that FedExField is a venue that is used by a wide range of community groups . ''

`` FedEx has closely followed the dialogue and difference of opinion concerning the Washington Redskins team name , but we continue to direct questions about the name to the franchise owner , '' Fitzgerald said .

Snyder has repeatedly defended the name and wrote in a March letter that the name `` captures the best of who we are and who we can be , by staying true to our history and honoring the deep and enduring values our name represents . ''

The team has employed Native Americans to defend the name and launched a site called Redskins Facts to promote its stance that the names honors Native Americans rather than disparages them .

The team also has created a foundation to provide resources to tribal communities .

The good deed has n't stemmed the controversy as opposition to the name persists , and President Barack Obama said last year that if he were Snyder , he might change the name .

In June , the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled six trademarks belonging to the team , saying they were offensive . The team appealed the decision , saying it spent millions defending the trademark , and the patent office ruled the Redskins could use the logos until the years-long appeals process was complete .

The National Congress of American Indians has spoken out against the use of Redskins and other Native American mascots , and the Native Voice Network , which represents numerous Native American organizations , has targeted FedEx in its effort to convince Snyder to change the team name .

The Native Voice Network says use of `` R-word '' has a negative , dehumanizing effect on children , a major concern when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says suicide is the second-leading cause of death among Native American people between the ages of 15 and 24 .

Chrissie Castro , the Native Voice Network 's `` network weaver , '' says her group `` definitely '' supports Osage Nation .

`` We 're very proud of their position and we 'd love to see other tribal communities do the same , '' she said .

The Oklahoma tribe has about 18,000 members and is situated in Osage County , the setting for the Meryl Streep movie , `` August : Osage County . ''

CNN 's Devon M. Sayers contributed to this report .

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Chief : Do n't use FedEx until Redskins change `` disparaging and offensive '' name

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Washington Redskins team name has been source of controversy

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Team defends name and says it honors rather than disparages Native Americans

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Redskins stadium changed name to FedExField in 27-year , $ 207 million deal in 1999